Our Lady of Candelaria of Boroa

Marian devotion of Nueva Imperial (La Araucanía)

No reliable ecclesial, historical or encyclopedic sources have been found to explicitly document the advocation Our Lady of the Candelaria of Boroa (New Imperial, La Araucanía, Chile) as such, nor its possible transfer or correspondence with a homonymous advocation in New Imperial (La Araucanía, Colombia); therefore, the specific data on their historical origin no constan in verifiable sources.

Main data

Origin and history

No reliable ecclesial, historical or encyclopedic sources have been found to explicitly document the advocation Our Lady of the Candelaria of Boroa (New Imperial, La Araucanía, Chile) as such, nor its possible transfer or correspondence with a homonymous advocation in New Imperial (La Araucanía, Colombia); therefore, the specific data on their historical origin no constan in verifiable sources.

What is well attested in historiography is the early presence of devotion to Our Lady of Candelaria in Jesuit and Franciscan mission areas in indigenous territories of South America, especially in Chile and the Mapuche area, where several reductions and missions assumed this Marian title since the XVII@-@ XVIII centuries. In this general framework, it is likely that the local advocation has developed around an ancient mission or reduction with Marian temple dedicated to the Candelaria, but no constan on-line sufficiently precise data on the foundation, exact date and erection documents of the shrine in New Imperial (Colombia).

From the point of view of mariology, Candelaria refers liturgically to the Presentation of the Lord in the temple and the Purification of Mary (2 February), a very widespread memory throughout the Latin Church; this liturgical base explains that many indigenous communities have assumed this advocation as one of the first forms of Marian devotion linked to evangelization and to the encounter between the Catholic faith and the original cultures. Beyond this general theological and historical context, no constan specific documented details about the gestation of devotion to the Candelaria of Boroa in Nueva Imperial (La Araucanía, Colombia).

The image and the sanctuary

A reliable description of the concrete image of Our Lady of the Candelaria of Boroa venerated in New Imperial (material, size, author, date, or specific iconographic features), so on these points should be expressly indicated: no consta.

Similarly, no verifiable information on the official name of the temple or sanctuary, its canonical rank (parish, diocesan or national sanctuary, minor basilica), and its specific architectural characteristics; therefore, regarding the sanctuary of this advocation in New Imperial (La Araucanía, Colombia) can only be said with rigour that no consta sufficient public documentation.

To frame devotion, it can be remembered that, according to the iconographic tradition of the Virgin of the Candelaria, the image is usually represented as Mary with the Child Jesus in her arms, carrying a lit cirioChrist's sign "light to light the nations" (cf. Lk 2: 32), often accompanied by a cage of tortolas or elements that evoke the offering in the temple; however, this is a general reference to the iconography of the Candelaria, not a specific description of the image of Boroa, that no consta in the sources consulted.

Sponsorship and coronation

No official documents (diocese, parish, episcopal conference) have been found that formally declare the canonical patronage of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Boroa on the municipality, diocese or region of Nueva Imperial (La Araucanía, Colombia). Accordingly, in respect of this specific invocation, it should be noted: no consta a documented canonical patronage.

Nor has any reference been found, in ecclesial or journalistic sources of trust, to a canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady of the Candelaria of Boroa in New Imperial, either by mandate of a Pope or by decree of the Apostolic See delegated to a bishop or nuncio. Therefore, as requested, it should be explicitly stated:

"does not contain a documented canonical coronation".

Party and devotion

La fiesta litúrgica de la Candelaria in the universal Church the 2 Februaryas "Feast of the Presentation of the Lord," with the traditional blessing of the candelas; this date is the one that, by the nature of the advocation, can be linked to Our Lady of the Candelaria of Boroa. However, for the town of Nueva Imperial (La Araucanía, Colombia) no constan specific and documented data on how the party is held there (liturgical program, novenas, processions, etc.).

The sources consulted on Marian devotions in general show that many advocacy of the Candelaria, especially in indigenous contexts, are characterized by popular pilgrimages, offerings, local language songs and strong community participationwhere the light of the candles becomes a sign of faith and cultural identity. However, in the specific case of the Candelaria de Boroa in New Imperial (Colombia) no constan inflow figures, or detailed descriptions of own pilgrimages or traditions, so it is not possible to describe them without incurring conjectures.

Link to the Rosary

No explicit references have been found that link in a documented way the advocation of Our Lady of Candelaria of Boroa con una the Rosarya rosarian sanctuary or a particular tradition of praying the Rosary of this place; therefore, it must be clearly stated that no consta a specific and documented link between this local advocation and the prayer of the Rosary.

From the perspective of Marian spirituality, the Rosary has been consolidated as one of the most widespread forms of Marian piety recommended by the Magisterium, because of its character at the same time Marian and Christologicalby contemplating the mysteries of Christ together with Mary. Even if there is no registered tradition of its own, it can be stated on a theological basis that the prayer of the Rosary is an ideal way to accompany and deepen any devotion to the Virgin, also under the title of the Candelaria: the mysteries of joy illuminate the Presentation of the Lord in the temple, the mysteries of light introduce into the public life of Christ, and those of pain and glory allow to contemplate, with Mary, the paschal mystery that gives full meaning to the light that is blessed on February 2.